BRIGG COULD BECOME PART OF GREAT LINCOLNSHIRE AUTHORITY AREA

FROM NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

North Lincolnshire Council is proposing to agree to the creation of a Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Combined Authority that would bring an extra £450m to the region to secure economic growth.
Following a review of the public consultation by the ten councils across the greater Lincolnshire area, the council has decided that the Mayoral Combined Authority would be the most efficient and effective way of bringing more powers to the area.
The governance review, scheme and the consultation outcome have been given to the Secretary of State to decide whether to make an order establishing the new authority.
The governance review concluded that a Mayoral Combined Authority was the option that would most effectively meet the statutory functions devolved by the Government whilst providing a single point of accountability through a directly elected mayor.  
Some of the main features of the scheme are:

• The establishment of a Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Combined Authority (GLMCA) with a directly elected mayor
• The GLMCA will have 12 members, one being the mayor, 10 members appointed by the 10 councils and a member appointed by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership
• The functions of the Mayoral Combined Authority are split between functions carried out only by the mayor and those by the combined authority
• Mayoral functions include the development of a strategic transport plan and spatial framework together with responsibility for transport and highways funding
• The mayor must appoint a deputy mayor

Unanimous voting will be required for budgetary decisions and for other decisions including whether to seek further powers for the GLMCA
In total 4,432 completed surveys were received during the consultation period; 783 of which came from North Lincolnshire. Of these responses 50 per cent favoured a Mayoral Combined Authority.
The results of the consultation showed that Greater Lincolnshire residents are broadly in favour of devolution, with 59 per cent agreeing that councils should pursue devolved powers for the Greater Lincolnshire area, 73 per cent agreeing that councils should prioritise economic growth, infrastructure and housing and 77 per cent agreeing that councils should pursue further devolved powers in these areas.
Baroness Liz Redfern (pictured), Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We have considered the results of the Greater Lincolnshire devolution consultation in great deal with further opportunities for future deals. It is not a decision we have taken lightly and we strongly believe that this is the best way forward for North Lincolnshire and the Greater Lincolnshire area. The joint ambition will be to give the Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority a single pot to invest in its economic growth.
“It was clear, in the main that residents in North Lincolnshire are supportive of the proposals.
“It means an additional £450m over the next 30 years (£15m per year), greater powers and responsibilities coming to the Greater Lincolnshire area. It would see further education opportunities to develop skills for people aged 16 and above, boost employment and accelerate growth for business and innovation, as well as increase investment in new homes and transport.
“The combined authority would be a greater force that would speed up decisions and deliver what is needed locally.”
Each council has considered their own responses to the consultation and will present the findings at council meetings in September and October, and decide whether they want to pursue a Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) for Greater Lincolnshire.
A report on the proposed plans was discussed at North Lincolnshire Council’s Full Council meeting on Thursday,  September 29  at the Civic Centre in Scunthorpe.